Read Politics of Blood (Gray Spear Society Book 8) for Free Online

was going through his mind.
    Aaron and Boreas took positions on opposite ends of a blue mat. The legate stood between them.
    "This is a friendly match," she said. "I'll be upset if anybody gets injured. I need both of you in one piece. Understand?"
    Aaron and Boreas responded in unison, "Yes, ma'am."
    In Sheryl's eyes, Boreas had the advantage physically. He was a couple of inches taller than Aaron and even more muscular. There were more ways to measure a fighter than size though.
    The legate stepped back. "Go."
    In an instant, the fight was on. Aaron flew across the mat with a spinning attack that would've killed most men. Boreas ducked and weaved out of the way. He inverted his huge body and landed a kick on Aaron's chest which sounded like a baseball bat striking meat. Aaron grabbed Boreas' ankle, somersaulted in the air, and landed in a stance. Boreas took him down with a sweeping arm attack that had Sheryl gaping in disbelief.
    The two men went back and forth so rapidly she could barely follow the action. They both seemed to have an unlimited supply of fresh techniques. It was an incredible demonstration of skill. Sheryl became disoriented just watching.
    The fight ended just as abruptly as it had begun. Boreas put Aaron in a leg lock that looked very painful. Aaron's spine was bent backwards. He slapped the mat.
    Boreas released him and stood up. Everybody in the room applauded.
    "You're pretty good," Boreas stated in a raspy voice. "Best fight I've had in a long time."
    Aaron winced as he got to his feet. "Thanks."
    "You want to go again?"
    "No." Aaron stretched his back and grimaced. "I would like to see your gift though. Is it safe?"
    "I can control it," Boreas said. "Who is the target?"
    "Try me first."
    The blue tint in Boreas' eyes darkened until they were the color of the sky.
    "Ugh!" Aaron cried.
    He collapsed to the floor in an awkward heap. His whole body was shivering as if he were freezing to death.
    "Are you OK?" Boreas said.
    Aaron nodded but didn't get up. His teeth were chattering loudly. Boreas walked over and helped him to his feet.
    "What's your maximum range?" Aaron said with difficulty. He could barely stand.
    "About twenty feet. I need line of sight, but I can hit multiple targets at once with precision."
    "I want to see that. Smythe, Norbert, Tawni, and Sheryl, come here."
    Sheryl reluctantly walked over and joined her fellow legionnaires on the practice mat. They glanced at each other anxiously. She felt like the unwilling victim of a science experiment.
    Without warning, Boreas' eyes turned blue again. Sheryl could feel the warmth and strength being sucked out of her body. It was one of the most uncomfortable sensations of her life. She actually thought she was dying. Her legs failed, and she was unable to protect herself as she fell.
    She groaned and shivered on the mat, completely incapacitated. A terrible chill had settled deep in her bones. All four legionnaires had gone down at once.
    "Nice gift," Aaron said. "How fast can you kill with it?"
    "Three seconds to achieve unconsciousness," Boreas said. "Five for death."
    "That's a long time when people are shooting at you."
    "Yes. I can also freeze specific body parts. Hands, feet, testicles. It's an effective interrogation technique."
    Aaron nodded. "The legate made a fine choice for a bodyguard."
    "Thank you," Boreas said. "That means a lot coming from a man with your reputation."
    The legionnaires were pulled to their feet. Sheryl's strength was returning slowly, but it would be a while before she felt right again. She wanted to take a long, hot bath.
    "Back to work, everybody," Aaron announced. "The President will be here tomorrow, and we have to be ready for him. Break time is over."
    Sheryl grunted. Sometimes, I hate that man, she thought.
    * * *
    Aaron walked into the lobby of the Rosemont Tower Hotel. He had changed into his finest business suit and dress shoes. When dealing with the staff of the hotel, it was important to look like a